Ordowahl For Beta Reviewers: Book The First (Ordowahl the Huge and Ugly)

By Joel Henry Hinrichs Jr.

Working title: Ordowahl the Huge and Ugly.Setting: medieval Europe, around the time of Beowulf.Protagonist: Ordowahl, 9th son of the King of Nordland. He overshadows his elder brothers in size, wits, and physical prowess; when he reaches the age of 21 his father sends him out of the kingdom, to keep him (and the rest of his sons) alive and healthy.Ordowahl arises from a warrior tradition, yet is well schooled by his father's carefully chosen tutors in mind and spirit (Father Ewald) and lore (mage Heorald). He, alone among his brothers, has taken his tutoring to heart.While fearless, he is also deeply committed to honor and kindness.Ordowahl passes by various noble kin on his way, and begins to learn things his sheltered upbringing has made remote. He passes into Raider lands (read: Viking) and is caught up in dream-sorcery.Ordowahl bests his dream assailant, but winds up on a Raider long boat making a raid on Christians to the south across the seas (read: Denmark). Ashore he defeats the dozen men set to watch him and the six long boats, destroys the boats, and helps the village defend itself.Here he meets Clarence, a master of all skills save one, self-governance. Clarence is a good sort, but cannot say 'no' and cannot turn off a 'yes' that lights up casual desire in many women wherever he goes, hence is cast out.Ordowahl and Clarence journey southward, avoiding towns, until they reach Hammaborg (read: Hamburg, Germany) where Clarence is fatally unwelcome. Ordowahl must devise a way to keep Clarence healthy, which leads to Clarence learning the secrets of iron, steel, and swordmaking.Clarence's innate cleverness and understanding of material processes lead him to make swords such as have not been seen in two centuries (google UlfBehrt) and with properties similar to Katana swords made in Japan. While not Katana, they work so well that the Prince of Hammaborg, valuing political and military stability, sends them packing and demands a promise that they keep them a secret and never make any more.Next the reach Ermleben in the Selke Valley, which existed at that time (and does today) and encounter Free Knight Egeno (also extant at that time, in that place.) He introduces Ordowahl to the Black Knight, whose magics are similar to the Raiders. In a death duel Ordowahl conquers the Black Knight.Here ends Book One; Book Two will follow Ordowahl and Clarence through two nearby kingdoms; in each there is a struggle for success or survival of the kingdoms themselves. Ordowahl will age slightly and mature considerably through these trials.Book Three brings Ordowahl to Tharcajh (wholly fictional: think Carthage with the sounds rearranged) which is beset by two great dragons and the Black Mage. He is put to the test, and only comes through when aided by the odd gifts of the Princess Janalei, whom he takes to wife; Clarence will suffer (not giving away just how or what comes of it) as will Janalei, as will Ordowahl. The three of them must work together to defeat the Black Mage.Book Four takes Ordowahl back to Nordland, where is father is making plans for his succession among eight fractious sons; Ordowahl, while youngest, must seize the reins of succession and power in order to preserve the kingdom.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 061576102X
• ISBN13: 9780615761022
• Release Date: February 2013
• Publisher: J & J Wordsmiths
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"